Zero-for-three in his previous tries in the John Henry Turf Championship Stakes (G2T), Gold Phoenix was back better than ever in attempt No. 4, storming to a 1 1/4-length victory Sept. 27 at Santa Anita Park.
At the age of 7, Gold Phoenix ran a race worthy of John Henry himself, rallying from the back of the pack to secure the eighth graded stakes win of his career. Like the Hall of Fame gelding, Gold Phoenix has been a picture of consistency throughout his 28 starts, and has time and time again proved a fierce competitor in the heat of battle.
Unlike in last month's Del Mar Handicap (G2T), in which Gold Phoenix defeated Stay Hot by a neck in a gripping duel to the wire, there was no question who was best in the John Henry.
The narrow second choice in the 1 1/4-mile contest, Gold Phoenix was unhurried early as the last of seven as longshot Balladeer cruised uncontested through opening fractions of :23.47, :46.60, and 1:10.93. Racing in unison with Stay Hot past the 6-furlong marker, Gold Phoenix steadily closed the gap on his opponents. A willing partner under Umberto Rispoli, the son of Belardo threaded his way between traffic coming off the turn and charged through an opening at the eighth pole.
The ageless gelding propelled to the finish, hitting the wire a convincing winner in a final time of 1:58.74 for the 1 1/4 miles on the firm downhill turf course. He returned $5 for a $2 win ticket.
Stay Hot, who had gone widest of all turning for home, was unable to stay on par with Gold Phoenix this time around and settled for second. Spycatcher finished third in his first stakes appearance since a runner-up effort in the 2022 Hollywood Derby (G1T).
Trained by Phil D'Amato for the partnership of Agave Racing Stable, Little Red Feather Racing, Sterling Stables, and Marsha Naify, the John Henry was Gold Phoenix's final start before he makes his fourth bid in the Nov. 1 Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T).
"Billy (Koch of Little Red Feather) and I were watching the race upstairs and we were a little nervous at first when he went a little wide early," said Kevin Bogart of Sterling Stables. "But once he tucked in and Umberto had him in hand, we felt really good about him. He's just a really game horse."
Although pundits criticized Gold Phoenix's record at Santa Anita, the John Henry was in fact the gelding's third graded stakes win at the track following scores in the 2024 Charlie Whittingham Stakes (G2T) and 2023 Frank E. Kilroe Mile Stakes (G1T). This year's Breeders' Cup, however, takes place at Gold Phoenix's favorite track, Del Mar.
"My horse is in a good zone now. We'll give him two works here and then ship him down to Del Mar," D'Amato said. "We'll run with the Euros."
Video: John Henry Turf Championship S. (G2T)
reef runner gets his redemption in Eddie D Stakes
Redemption was sweet for team Reef Runner, who, after being disqualified from the Green Flash Handicap (G3T) last month at Del Mar, rallied to score in the $201,500 Eddie D Stakes (G2T).
Finding himself at the back of the field into the first furlong, the Florida-bred gelding wove his way through the pack under jockey Armando Ayuso, his third rider in his last three starts. Just as Yellow Card struck the front at the top of the lane, Ayuso and Reef Runner spied daylight, launching a determined bid down the center of the stretch.
Reef Runner ($13) collared his stubborn rival yards from the wire, pulling clear for a half-length victory.
The David Fawkes trainee stopped the timer in 1:11.65 for the 6 1/2 furlongs on Santa Anita's downhill turf course. Sorrento Sky was another three lengths back in third to complete the trifecta.
"I was a little nervous when he was in dead last," Fawkes admitted. "After three rider changes and all the craziness, he's just a neat horse."
Taken down from the win in the Green Flash after crossing the wire in front, Reef Runner's rider in that race, Paco Lopez, was recently served a six-month suspension by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority.
Although the Eddie D is not a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series race as the Green Flash was, Fawkes reported that the $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) was the obvious next start for Reef Runner.
A homebred for Alex and JoAnn Lieblong, Reef Runner registered his sixth career win in 20 trips to the post. With his triumph in the Eddie D, 4-year-old Reef Runner provided Arkansas stallion The Big Beast with his first graded stakes winner. The Big Beast stood the 2025 breeding season for $2,000 at McDowell Farm near Sparkman, Ark.
Video: Eddie D S. (G2T)
Innovative Lands FIrst Stakes Win in John C. Harris
Little Red Feather Racing, Sterling Stables, and trainer Phil D'Amato continued their banner day Saturday when Innovative landed her first black-type stakes win in the $103,500 John C. Harris Stakes (G3T) for 3-year-old fillies.
The Harris, formerly known as the Unzip Me Stakes, was recently renamed to honor the legacy of prominent California breeder and owner John C. Harris, who died in July.
Cutting back to 6 1/2 furlongs for the first time in her seven-start career, Innovative raced patiently off the pace under jockey Ricardo Gonzalez as Lee's Baby Girl commanded the field on the front end, throwing down a :22.23 opening quarter. Maintaining her advantage turning for home, the front-runner suddenly floated wide at the quarter pole, forcing favored Casalu out into the center of the stretch. The closely pursuing Innovative, full of momentum, had no issue with the extra ground in her path, edging clear for a neck score.
Innovative ($27.40) clocked the 6 1/2 furlongs on the downhill turf course in 1:12.98. Lee's Baby Girl held off East Coast shipper Warming to be second.
Little Red Feather Racing purchased Kentucky-bred Innovative for $230,000 at the 2024 Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training. She is the third graded stakes winner for sire Complexity , who was also represented by Ohio Derby (G3) winner Mo Plex this season. Complexity stood the 2025 season at Airdrie Stud in Kentucky for a $25,000 fee.
